Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula spilorrhoa
Large, predominantly white pigeon with black wing feathers. Tip of the tail also black. Feeds on fruits, known to roost on islands and in mangroves. Forms large flocks.
Identification
The Torresian imperial pigeon is a large plump pigeon, 38-44 centimetres (15-17.5 inches) in length, and with a 45 cm (18 in) wingspan. It is entirely white or pale cream, apart from the black flight feathers (remiges), part of the tail (rectrices) and spots on the undertail coverts. The head can be brown, soiled by eating fruit.
Taxonomy
Its taxonomy is confusing and remains unsettled. It has sometimes been considered a subspecies of the pied imperial pigeon. When recognized as a separate species, the number of subspecies of the Torresian imperial pigeon also remains unsettled. Many recognize two: The widespread D. s. spilorrhoa (nominate) and D. s. constans of the Kimberleys. However, the latter is sometimes considered a junior synonym of former. Alternatively, it has been argued that it should be considered a separate species, the Kimberley imperial-pigeon (D. constans Bruce, 1989).<p>Two additional taxa, subflavescens of the Bismarck Archipelago and melanura of the Moluccas, have been associated with the Torresian imperial pigeon. The former has a distinctive yellowish-tinged plumage and a bluish basal half of the bill, and is increasingly treated as a separate species, the yellowish imperial pigeon (D. subflavescens). Most recent authorities place melanura under the pied imperial pigeon, but it has black spotting to the undertail coverts and a greenish-yellow bill similar to the Torresian imperial pigeon. However, melanura also has a significantly broader black tail-tip than the Torresian imperial pigeon.
- Scientific name
- Ducula spilorrhoa
- Authority
- (Gray, GR, 1858)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The flight of the pigeon is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.<p>The male displays by flying up steeply, pausing, tipping forward and then gliding downwards. The female builds an untidy stick nest in a tree, usually a coconut palm and lays a single white egg, which hatches within 26 to 28 days. The squab fledges after another three weeks. In Australia they breed between August and January in mangroves, vines, palm fronds on off-shore islands, such as the Brook Islands. In north-east Queensland, they migrate daily as flocks from the islands to the mainland rainforests to eat fruit, returning to the islands at dusk.<p>This is an arboreal dove, feeding almost exclusively on fruit. It can swallow fruits with very large seeds, the latter being regurgitated or excreted whole, depending on size, after the pulp has been removed.<p>Calls made by the birds are a deep "mrrrooooo", "roo-ca-hoo" and "up-ooooo".
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous Fieldwren
Calamanthus campestris
Small bird of open arid shrubland and grasslands. Pale brown above, whitish below, with distinct pale supercilium, faint chest streaking, and long, cocked tail. Forages quietly on the ground or in thick vegetation, where difficult to see. Most easily observed when males sing in spring, as they perch up in the vegetation. Similar to Western Fieldwren but no range overlap. Compare Shy Heathwren, which has a white wing spot and darker legs.
Great Black Hawk
Buteogallus urubitinga
Uncommon in forest, marshes, and mangroves, where usually greatly outnumbered by similar Common Black Hawk. Slightly larger and lankier than Common Black Hawk, with longer legs and tail, and adults of the two species have very different calls in flight. Adult Great Black has 2 white tail bands (1 on Common) and less extensive yellow in face. Immature looks whiter-headed than Common (no big black moustaches), and its longer tail has narrower and more numerous pale bars. Usually warier than Common, which can be quite unconcerned by people.
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis
Illadopsis albipectus
A chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab babbler. Most birds show some darker scaling on the breast, though this is difficult to see without a good view. Found in the understory of rainforest at low and middle elevations. Shy and skulking; rarely seen unless searched for. Very similar to other illadopsises, and most readily distinguished by voice, though scaly-breasted birds are distinctive. Most often detected by voice. The distinctive song is far less variable than that of many other illadopsis species. It consists of one or two introductory “tek” notes followed by three or four whistles in a rising pattern, often repeated for long periods.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.